Agricultural Tile Drainage Design Fundamentals
Welcome to Agricultural Tile Drainage Design Fundamentals, your practical first step into the world of subsurface drainage.
Whether you are a farmer looking to take control of your field’s water management by installing your own tile, or a contractor aiming to expand your current earthworks or agricultural business into the tiling market, this course is built for you.
What to Expect
Think of this course as the equivalent of a comprehensive 1-2 day agricultural extension workshop. It is designed to build a strong, working foundation in drainage concepts, math, and system design.
Please note: This is not a formal certification course, nor will it teach you every single nuance of drainage engineering. It is not a substitute for professional accreditation in jurisdictions where that is legally required. Instead, it provides the essential, ground-level knowledge you need to understand how systems work, how to size them correctly, and how to avoid costly installation mistakes.
What You Will Learn
This course is broken down into clear, progressive modules to take you from the basic science of soil mechanics to hands-on software design and field installation.
- The Science of Drainage: Understand the “why” and “how” of tile drainage. We cover essential terminology, soil types, how water moves through soil, and Ksat (saturated hydraulic conductivity).
- Design Principles & Spacing:Â Learn to calculate the optimum depth and spacing for your tile using drainage coefficients and the MSU Drain Spacing Calculator.
- Outlets & Mainline Sizing: A system is only as good as its outlet. Learn the requirements for gravity and pumped outlets, and master mainline sizing using Manning’s Equation to step down your mains effectively.
- System Layout & Material Selection: Discover common field layout options, mainline placement, gradient principles, and control structures. We also cover exactly when to use (and when not to use) filter socks and how to deal with tree roots.
- Hands-On Design in Geo-Surface Pro:Â Put the theory into practice. You will work through basic, intermediate, and challenging field designs (including lift stations) using Geo-Surface Pro software.
- Installation Best Practices & Maintenance: Learn the golden rules of the field—from permits and utility locates to RTK grade control, surveying runs, and starting at the outlet. We also cover long-term operation and maintenance to ensure your system lasts.
By the end of this course, you will have the confidence and foundational knowledge to start planning, designing, and installing effective tile drainage systems.
View the Course Overview to see all lessons and content.